So what are you doing while your business shrinks? Getting bored? Feeling defeated? Complaining about the government? Binging on Netflix or worse, binging on TV news? Fear can be paralyzing. Focusing on loss; depressing.

Yes, I understand the reality of low bank balances, limited incomes, real sickness, and fear. None of us are insulated from it all. William James, the father of American psychology, said, “If I found myself depressed, I’d go to the poor side of town and find someone to help.” Service is the answer.

Finding someone to help is easy because help is often just lending a soft ear. Reach out to clients, suppliers, friends, and business associates and listen. What I’ve found over this period of business interruption is that everyone has their take on things. What I’ve experienced is that we both feel a bit better after we speak, and, in many of these conversations, we shared ideas on coping with the new reality that were new to us both. What an opportunity this is to connect on a deeper level. Given the day to day business responsibilities we usually experience when is there ever time to make so many calls and so many real connections with so much less clock pressure? I get it. Many of us can’t sell right now, and it sucks. But what we can do is forge better connections because at the end of this crisis, and it will end, those who do will emerge stronger.

Own Your Sales Gene…